Chasing Serotonin: Wellness Tips to Boost the Happy Hormone
From mindful movement to invigorating sea dips, here are a few wellness habits that not only lift your mood but can have a lasting impact on your mental and physical well-being.
There’s a reason why spending time by the sea, moving your body, or simply soaking in the sunrise makes you feel better. It all comes down to serotonin - often referred to as the “happy hormone.” This natural mood stabiliser plays a key role in helping us feel calm, balanced and content. And the good news? There are many ways to naturally encourage its production.
From mindful movement to invigorating sea dips, here are a few wellness habits that not only lift your mood but can have a lasting impact on your mental and physical well-being.
Walking with Intention
Walking - especially in nature - is one of the simplest ways to boost serotonin. As your heart rate gently rises and your senses tune into the world around you, your body responds with an increase in both serotonin and endorphins. In Newquay, coastal paths stretch in all directions offering cliffside views, fresh sea air, and golden horizons that invite you to slow your pace and be present.
Even a 20-minute stroll along Fistral Beach or the South West Coast Path can help lift brain fog, ease anxiety, and spark creative thought.
Move in a Way That Feels Good
Regular movement - especially gentle, low-impact exercise like yoga - can naturally support serotonin levels, helping you feel more balanced and at ease. At Fistral Beach Hotel, we embrace this approach across our wellness offering. Yoga here isn’t just about physical movement; it’s a grounding, mindful practice that encourages connection between body and mind, leaving you feeling lighter, calmer, and restored from within.
Whether you prefer a flowing vinyasa, restorative candlelit sessions, or a mindful Dru practice, yoga can help regulate your nervous system and restore balance. Gentle movement also helps reduce cortisol - the stress hormone - while improving flexibility and sleep.
Brave the Cold: The Benefits of Wild Swimming
There’s something profoundly invigorating about cold water swimming. Beyond the rush of adrenaline and the sense of achievement, studies show that immersing in cold water may help release dopamine and serotonin, leaving swimmers feeling energised, elated and clear-headed.
The Atlantic Ocean at your doorstep offers the ultimate natural plunge pool. Under the guidance of a wild swim coach, even first-time dippers can feel safe and supported, reaping the mental clarity and deep calm that often follow a swim in the sea.
And yes-there’s hot chocolate waiting for you after.
Rest, Nourish and Rejuvenate
Good food, deep rest, and mindful spa experiences all support a healthier state of mind and body. At Fistral Beach Hotel, we believe that true wellness comes from slowing down, tuning in, and treating your body with care.
Our award-winning spa offers ocean-view relaxation, holistic treatments, a heated pool, sauna, steam room and more. Combine this with nourishing meals in our 2 AA Rosette Restaurant Dune and you’ll find that joy is often rooted in the simplest things: warmth, taste, and time to truly unwind.
Yoga and Wild Swimming Break: A Rejuvenating Escape by the Sea
For those ready to immerse in a complete wellness reset, our Yoga and Wild Swimming Break has been designed to help you move, breathe and reconnect - with yourself and the ocean.
What's included:
- A two-night coastal stay (single occupancy options available)
- Daily breakfast and three-course dinner each night at Restaurant Dune
- Three yoga sessions: Dru Yoga, Restorative Candlelight Yoga, and Gentle Flow
- Wild swimming session with expert coach followed by hot chocolate
- Full access to Fistral Spa and gym, plus 10% off treatments
- Complimentary access to daily fitness classes
Available check-in dates:
- Friday 21st March 2025
- Friday 25th April 2025
- Friday 20th June 2025
- Friday 19th September 2025
- Friday 10th October 2025
Whether you're taking the plunge into wild waters, greeting the day with yoga, or simply soaking in spa serenity, this is your invitation to realign with what makes you feel truly good.
A Happier You Starts Here
Ultimately, boosting the feel-good hormone is about cultivating balance - body, mind and spirit. Regular movement, nourishing food, time outdoors, quality sleep, and moments of stillness all play a part in supporting serotonin production and overall mental well-being. Whether it’s the rhythm of your breath during yoga, the cold embrace of the sea, or simply a mindful walk along the coast, small, intentional practices can make a meaningful difference. Wellness doesn’t have to be complicated- it just has to feel good.
